Work Text:
December 23rd, 2025
Matt turns the heat down on the stove. The chicken noodle soup is ready, and it smells heavenly. Cut up pieces of chicken and perfectly cooked penne swimming in a broth alongside carrots and spinach. He pours it into a bowl, and takes it to Jay. He hears him sneeze from the living room.
Jay’s been sick for almost a week now. Some flu or cold or something. The worst of it is gone, but he’s not completely better yet. His nose is completely stuffed, his throat hurts, and he’s hot to the touch. He’s too exhausted to walk around for long periods of time, which means no Rivoli plans. The only plan he has right now is to make Jay feel better.
He gets to the couch, where Jay is busy replaying Twilight Princess. He’s so into the game that he almost doesn’t notice Matt arriving. But the smell of the soup is enough to wrench his focus from the tv. He eats it slowly, savoring every bit of it.
“Your cooking is always the best.” Jay says with a loving smile.
“Anything for my poor Bird.” Matt says while stroking his hair. His scalp feels hot.
“Matt…” Jay says, pretending to be annoyed.
His eyes betray his true feelings. He loves every bit of attention Matt gives him. He’s always acted like this when he was sick, so eager to be cared for by someone. It took a long long time for Matt to be willing to care for him, something he heavily regrets. It was only after Jay’s accidental overdose when Matt changed his ways.
After his second bowl of soup, Jay gets back to gaming. He’s currently making his way through Snowpeak Ruins. Matt watches Link navigate through the halls of the mansion, searching for a way to get to the Mirror Shard. But the only thing he finds is ingredients for Yeto’s soup. Matt’s mind drifts off, and he imagines that he’s Link, saving Princess Jay from Vince Valence’s evil machinations. Afterwards, Matt becomes beloved by all, and he gets hundreds of gifts from the citizens of Hyrule.
Oh that’s right. He’s forgotten to get Jay a gift for Christmas yet again. At least he sort of has an excuse this time. Maybe he’ll rush out early tomorrow and go buy a new metronome. No, he never really needed one of those. Maybe he’ll just see what retro games he can acquire. Or maybe he’ll return home empty handed. Or maybe he’ll make Jared and Luca go get something.
Jay sneezes, reminding Matt that Christmas can wait. The only thing Jay needs is to feel healthy. Matt gets some tissues, which Jay gladly takes. He blows some snot into a few of them. Then it’s back to gaming. He leans on Matt, and Matt puts his arm around him. He strokes Jay’s chest for a while, and kisses him. The hairs on Jay’s head tickles his nose, and he notices that a few more grey hairs have come in.
“Can I have another?”
“Of course.”
Matt kisses him on the forehead, but that’s clearly not enough for Jay. They shift around a little, and Matt gives Jay kisses all over his face and neck. He goes lower and lower, unbuttoning his shirt along the way. Jay receives hundreds and hundreds of kisses all up and down his chest and arms. Both of them are loving every second of this.
“Satisfied?” Matt says with a smile.
“Another one on my forehead wouldn’t hurt.”
Matt gives him a big wonderful kiss there, and Jay is finally satisfied. He buttons Jay’s shirt back up, and they get back to relaxing with each other. Jay plays long into the night. Link gets to the Mirror Shard, but Yeta gets possessed or something and becomes the dungeon’s boss. Link defeats her, and is rewarded with a heart piece created from the love between the two yetis. Matt always found this scene kind of cute, but he especially loves it now.
“That’s you and me…” Jay says while yawning.
“I’ve always imagined us being Link and Zelda.”
“That’s nice…”
“Getting sleepy, Bird?”
“Yeah”
Matt picks him up, and carries him to bed. Jay rests his head against Matt’s chest, his favorite spot in the whole wide world. Matt almost doesn’t want to tuck him in. He just wants to hold him forever, like they’re a beautiful statue chiseled by the finest craftsman. His arms are starting to get tired though, and he places Jay on the lower bunk.
“I’m so lucky to have you.” Jay mumbles underneath several blankets.
Matt just smiles in response and gives Jay one more kiss. Jay quickly falls asleep, and Matt watches the rise and fall of his chest. Matt hopes he’s better by tomorrow as he heads up to the top bunk. He feels lonely in bed without Jay next to him, without someone to cuddle with. His old plushies have done the job well, but they aren’t really the same.
He snuggles up to his big bear, and tries to fall asleep. In his dreams, Jay is his beautiful princess, as he is in real life.